Saturday, May 26, 2007

I'm Afraid It Won't Pass the Censors

I'll bet you didn't know that Garrulous MacKenzie, the editor of the Children's Books That Never Were series, wrote a memoir not too long ago. It's called I'm Afraid It Won't Pass the Censors: The Autobiograpy of a Lily-Livered Editor. Even though the biography won a prestigious CABBY award and currently makes its rounds during "Banned Books Week," finding an actual copy if the book is relatively difficult. I myself have never read it. However, I do know that the book exists because it has its own card catalog entry.*



Here is the hard-cover editor of the book:


It's a bit odd that Penny Esmarkus, the world-reknowned children's book historian and critic for Parent Ranting** magazine, consented to write the foreword for MacKenzie's autobiography. Their rivalry in the publishing industry is legendary. I am so inspired by 7Imps' author and blogger interviews that I plan to contact Esmarkus and ask her to consent to an interview for Saints and Spinners. Wish me luck.

05/27/07 Update: Success! This morning, I got an email from Esmarkus herself. She said that she would be thrilled to do an interview, complete with Pivot questionaire. I sent her the list of questions, and expect to have the interview posted this week.

*I suppose you suspect me of using the Card Catalog generator
**Proud sponsor of
The Three Martini Playdate support groups worldwide

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well then, I look forward to her Pivot responses!

(Love that Mellor book -- didn't know she had another one out)

Vivian Mahoney said...

You are just too clever!

Saints and Spinners said...

Jules: You'll get them, and more (I hope). Esmarkus was mild-mannered and gracious in her email, which is an interesting counterpoint to the dazzling "suffer no fools" Valkyrie persona she projects in public.

HipWriterMama: Thank you!